Casualties unknown

2019-11-07: 206L-3 (HK3978) — Popayán, CO

Popayán, CO

On November 7, 2019, a 206L-3 (registration HK3978) was involved in an aviation accident near Popayán, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Forced landing in an unprepared field due to a slight reduction in engine RPM and loss of altitude and speed during initial climb; inaccurate mixture adjustment inappropriate for density altitude conditions. This summary draws on records from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Group of the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (GRIAA).

Sourcesthe Aircraft Accident Investigation Group of the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (GRIAA)Primary reportUpdated 1785102594Data APIEditorial standards

On 25 October 2019, a Piper PA28-140 (HK1598G) operated by Academia de Pilotos de Aviación (ADEVIA) made a forced landing in an unprepared field after a slight RPM drop during initial climb. The left wing struck an electric pole, causing substantial damage. The sole occupant, a student pilot, was uninjured.

Factual Information

On October 25, 2019, at 07:35 local time (12:35 UTC), a Piper PA28-140, registration HK1598G, operated by Academia de Pilotos de Aviación (ADEVIA), was involved in an accident during a solo training flight. The flight departed from Flaminio Suárez Camacho Airport (SKGY) in Bogotá, Colombia. The aircraft was on its second flight of the day, having completed a dual instruction flight earlier. The student pilot was the sole occupant and was uninjured. The accident occurred in daylight under visual meteorological conditions (VMC).

Accident Sequence

The student pilot performed preflight checks and started the engine with an instructor's supervision. After takeoff from runway 11 at 07:30, during the crosswind turn, the student noticed that the aircraft was not gaining altitude and observed a slight decrease in RPM. The student reported the situation to air traffic control, and another instructor from the same flight school, who was airborne in a different aircraft, provided guidance. The student attempted to troubleshoot but decided to conduct a forced landing in a visible field. During the landing, the left wing contacted an electric pole, causing structural damage and sudden engine stoppage. The student exited the aircraft unharmed. No fire occurred.

Aircraft Damage

The aircraft sustained substantial damage: separation of the left wing at the stall indicator rib, deformation of the nose gear structure, sudden engine stoppage with a bent propeller blade, and minor damage to the right wing tip fairing.

Personnel Information

The student pilot was 25 years old, held a valid student pilot license (APA), and had a current medical certificate valid until March 29, 2020. This was the student's second solo flight.

Probable Cause

The investigation determined that the accident was caused by a forced landing in an unprepared field following a slight reduction in engine RPM and loss of altitude and speed during initial climb, and an inaccurate air-fuel mixture adjustment inappropriate for the density altitude conditions.